Let It Begin With Me

Dear Friend,

When I meet visitors out in front of the Mission I’m often asked if I’m a monk, to which I respond with my now well-rehearsed discourse on the difference between monks and friars. The Benedictines generously supported Francis at the time of his initial discernment of his calling, but Francis had to be mobile, “out and about” in his preaching of the Gospel. Francis learned a lot from the Benedictines, but founding a monastery was not the direction he was given.

Along these lines, the Gospel for this week seems well timed for our resident novices who will make their first profession of vows in a small ceremony in their chapel on Saturday. Jesus sends out his disciples two by two to preach the Kingdom of God and proclaim the greeting of peace: “Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this household.’” As the novices profess their vows - binding for one year - they are responding to this call. 

And yet, what a moment to be professing their vows! I for one cannot imagine a more fractured social and political environment to be sent into. And that goes for all of us. I see what’s happening in our nation’s capital - and I pray for our country: Peace be to this household!  In their letter last week, the U.S. Bishops concluded with these words: “It is a time for healing wounds and repairing social divisions; it is a time for reasoned reflection and civil dialogue…”

Not easy. Nor is the question posed by our Dominican friend, Father Jude Siciliano who invites us to ask ourselves: To whom am I being sent to bring Jesus’s peace greeting? It’s a question that links us to the novices, as they “let it begin with me.”

Gratefully,

Fr. Dan ofm, Pastor